 |
State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukder and US Ambassador James F Moriarty jointly inaugurate Smiling Sun Clinic at Tabalchhari in Rangamati district yesterday.Photo: Star |
US Ambassador James F Moriarty has said all political and civil society leaders along with the people of three hill districts will have to work together for full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord.
"Certainly, all friends of Bangladesh want full execution of the deal to ensure peace in CHT," the envoy said while addressing the opening ceremony of Smiling Sun Clinics in three hill districts, one in each district, as special guest at Suvalong Restaurant at Tabalchhari here yesterday. Dipankar Talukder, state minister for CHT affairs, addressed the function as chief guest.
Chaired by Denis Rollins, country director of USAID, Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council Nikhil Kumar Chakma, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Md Humayun Kabir, Secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs Masud Ahmad and Deputy Commissioner Sourendran Nath Chakraborty, also spoke.
Later, Talukder and Moriarty jointly inaugurated US Government-sponsored Smiling Sun clinics by releasing colourful balloons.
The clinics, funded by the US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), mark the first major health project between the US and Bangladesh government in the hill tracts.
Moriarty said the United States is keen to expand its partnership with under-privileged communities to promote child and maternal health.
“Today's event deepens our 40-year partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and marks the presence of the first major bilateral project between the United States and the Government of Bangladesh in the hill tracts,” he said.
“With increased attention and support for the hill tracts, we are on track to help Bangladesh achieve its Millennium Development Goals by 2015,” the envoy added.
Lauding the initiative taken by the US government, state minister Dipankar Talukder said hill people will get better healthcare facilities through the project.
Denis Rollins in her speech said the US government through USAID has been working very closely with the government of Bangladesh to address the health care challenges in Bangladesh.
She thanked the guests, staff and participants for extending their helping hands and cooperation for successful launching of the project and requested all to continue it.
Smiling Sun Clinics will help 2,38,000 people in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari receive essential maternal and child health service, family planning service and basic health service. The government will support the clinics by providing contraceptives and vaccines.
No comments:
Post a Comment